History - World War I (5)

…… our lines, but this policy proved a failure owing to the height and frequency with which they came over. The scheme of keeping one or two machines continually on Line Patrol from 8 a.m. to noon, between Lens and Arras at 15,000 feet or over, was then adopted and proved very successful. The number of enemy machines to cross our lines was considerably reduced, and those which did cross rarely got back without a fight. “The Aviatick has proved a most difficult machine to bring down, and although many have been heavily and closely engaged and must have been badly hit, only five are known to have been brought down - two of which were on our side of the lines. On two occasions fights have taken place at 19,000 feet and over, and it is the rule rather than the exception for engagements, with these two-seaters to start at 17,000 feet or over”. Early in July the Squadron began its conversion from Triplane to the Sopwith “Camel”; the new machines were given their own names in the traditional manner. “Dixie”, “Veda”, and “Peter III” were amongst them. The summer was a hot one

and to combat the heat and make full use of the sunshine the Squadron dug a swimming pool. In August a riding school was set up by the loan of six horses and a Sergeant Major. ‘Cross your stirrups terr - r - r - ot!”. About this time Fit. Cdrs. Munday and Draper were distinguishing themselves by their attacks against balloon sheds by night. Here is an account of the first of these attacks on 29th September, contained in a RFC. Communiqué. “Flight-Commander Munday, Naval Squadron No. 8, left the ground at about 9.45 p.m. and proceeded to attack a German Balloon Shed between Brebieres and Quiery-la-Motte. On finding the objective he dived down to within twenty feet of the ground and fired fifty rounds from each gun into the shed, which burst into flames. Flight-Commander Draper, when over Douai, saw the shed burning furiously so flew towards it and dived down, attacking the men who had gathered round in order to extinguish the fire. There is little doubt that the shed contained a balloon”. An extract from the notes of R.R. Soar is also available as an eye-witness account of Flt Cdr C D Booker’s last trip with the Squadron on 13th August, 1917. “By the way Booker led into that fracas showed he was still swearing about his having to leave the Squadron: no messing about getting in the Sun or manoeuvring for a side-tackle,

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WWI Inter War WWII History 1945 - 50 (1) History 1950 - 56 (1) History 1956 - 66 (1)